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As someone once said: “Having a bicycle is the closest thing there is to have wings.” These days, a bicycle is much more than just a piece of sports equipment or a means to get from point A to point B, it has become an essential part of a lifestyle, the “slow bicycle movement.” And it’s not just for workplace commuting that people are reaching for their bicycles; travelers too, are reveling in this pleasurable mode of transportation, both for long cycling trips as well as easy little tours.

Many people shy away from multi-day bicycle tours, maybe because they don’t have a fully-equipped high tech bicycle, or because they don’t think they’re fit enough – but they couldn’t be more wrong! It doesn’t have to be the Tour de France, there are plenty of routes that are perfectly suited for casual cyclists. In this post, we’ll tell you what makes traveling by bike such an incredible experience, what you should look out for along the way, and even take the opportunity to give you suggestions for the best routes! … Read More

They travel along like snails in their shells, these intrepid, freedom-loving backpackers, with their possessions balanced carefully on their backs. Backpack travel is deeply connected with feelings of romance, freedom and adventure, with minimal belongings but plenty of spontaneity. And these are feelings we can definitely connect with. If you’re new to the world of backpacking, you absolutely don’t have to start with a trip across Mongolia: we recommend you start with well-developed, modern destinations, ideally ones which are frequented by lots of other backpack tourists and are geared for this type of travel. We’ve put together some tips for you, including things to avoid and which areas are particularly well-suited for your very first backpack trip! … Read More

Although tents are one of the oldest types of dwellings, even today people still enjoy tucking themselves away in tents, yurts and tepees, to awake in the morning surrounded by nature. Nowadays, you don’t have to sacrifice luxury and comfort for the sake of mobility. Whether you’re on the road in an RV or a devoted fan of the newest craze known as “Glamping,” one thing is for certain: a well outfitted, clean place to stay is an absolute must. Today, we’ll introduce you to 5 of the best camping spots in Europe, in the very nicest locations! … Read More

Road trips: they embody the feeling of freedom and absolute boundlessness, and the ability to adjust your schedule and route just the way you want it to be. When most people think of road trips, it’s the USA that often comes to mind first, conjuring images of flickering neon motel signs on the side of Route 66. But you can find exciting, scenic terrain and picturesque panoramas on roads and streets across the world. In that spirit, we want to introduce you to 5 road trip routes that couldn’t be more different! … Read More

The search for a beautiful view sometimes brings us to dizzying heights, for a chance to see the world from high above the clouds. But you don’t necessarily have to put on your climbing gear to get there: around the world, you’ll find a variety of unique and interesting viewing platforms, terraces and bridges, with fitting names to boot. Getting to these beautiful views isn’t dangerous, but standing at the top, each still requires nerves of steel! … Read More

We all need an adventure every now and then. When this sense of adventure calls, we make our way – sometimes uncomfortably – out of civilization and deep into nature, to see with our own eyes the richness and beauty the natural world has to offer. Of course, we also know that responsible enjoyment of these priceless natural sources of wonder is the most important thing, following closely the well-known motto: take only photographs, leave only footprints. Today, we’ll introduce you to a few of our favorite safari destinations that will lead you to the edge of adventure! … Read More

New year, new season of travel! The year 2017 is officially underway, and it’s finally time to start ironing out your travel plans. We’ll tell you which adventures have made it onto our bucket list for the coming year. … Read More

Now that the thermometer has begun to sink and the mountain peaks are slowly covering with snow, we’re finally starting to feel it: the anticipation of winter sports. But our excitement is easily dimmed by a quick look at the prices. Skiing and snowboarding are expensive hobbies to be sure. To help you make it through this winter sport season with your wallet intact, we’ve put together a list of five ski destinations where you can enjoy the slopes at a fraction of the cost.

Bansko, Bulgaria

The ski resort of Bansko is located about 160 kilometers south of the Bulgarian capital city of Sofia. In the last few decades Bansko, at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, has grown from an insider secret to one of the most popular ski destinations in Eastern Europe. There are plenty of cheap places to overnight, and the ski pass prices are as moderate as ever: A day pass in the high season will cost you around 30 euros. For your money you’ll get access to almost 50 kilometers of ski trails. Bansko is ideal for families, because around half of the ski runs have the easiest difficulty rating.

Petzen, Austria

The Austrian ski resort of Petzen is the southernmost in the country, and also one of the least expensive. If you’re looking for international hotel chains, you won’t find them here. Instead, you can find accommodations in one of the many family-run vacation homes or hotels – an ideal scenario for a price-conscious ski vacation for the whole family. The offering of ski slopes is also a great fit for little ones. Flat practice runs provide the perfect space for children and beginners to hone their skills. But all the same, the phenomenal view is not to be missed: from the 1,708 meter height of the mountain station, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the Jaun valley.

Ordino-Arcalís, Andorra

Located between Spain and France, the ski resort of Ordino-Arcalís lies in the heart of the Pyrenees. The tiny principality of Andorra is known as a tax haven, resulting in comparatively inexpensive prices for lift tickets. The price for a day ski pass in the high season is 37 euros. If the 30 kilometers of slopes aren’t enough for you, consider exploring the neighboring ski resorts of Arinsal and Pal. A highlight that shouldn’t be missed is the 8 kilometer “Megaverde” – the perfect place to practice your cornering, especially for beginners. Adventure-loving freeriders will also find plenty to love here, with several ungroomed slopes to choose from.

Dizin, Iran

Skiing in Iran? Just the notion makes many people shake their heads in disbelief. Admittedly, most wouldn’t think of Iran as a snowy winter paradise. But Iran is home to just over 20 ski resorts. One of the best-known of these is Dizin, located in the northern part of the country, about two hours north of Teheran by car. Prices here are well below average: a day pass for skiing can be booked for around 22 euros.

Photo: iStock/evenfh

Banff Mount Norquay, Canada

It’s well known that skiing in North America is an expensive pursuit. But the legendary powder snow – the “Champagne Powder” – has an almost magical draw for winter sport enthusiasts from around the world. If you don’t have the good fortune to live in Canada or the USA, you’ll have to reckon with a long and expensive journey just to get to the slopes. This is in addition to ski pass prices, which are far more expensive than those in Europe. One ski resort that offers a comparatively strong value-for-cost ratio is Banff’s Mount Norquay, located in the Canadian Province of Alberta. A day ski pass will cost you approximately 45 euros – including impressive views of the snow-covered mountain trails.

There’s probably nothing more exciting than discovering the world from the saddle of your bicycle. No matter if you’re a weekend cyclist or a full-on professional, creature of comfort or adrenaline junkie, nature lover or culture fanatic: you’ll find the perfect bicycle tour among our selections. … Read More